Shop the Wares of Hudson Valley Artisans in the Bucolic Setting of the Olana Summer Market

Bask in the breathtaking surroundings of a historic landscape while you check out the work of Hudson Valley artisans with a special summer market at Olana State Historic Site this month.

Sited in a landscape designed for picturesque rambles and sweeping views, Olana is a visual feast created by Hudson River School painter Frederic Church in the 1870s, and the area continues to be an inspiration for local artisans and makers. Olana will be hosting more than 25 of them for a full weekend of art, food and creativity on August 25 and 26.

You’ll be able to check out the work of potters, jewelers, woodworkers and textile artists, as well as get tempted by the delectable offerings from a local farm, a winery and a distillery. Among the participating vendors are Grant House Press, Round Designs, The Binderie, Hester’s Studio, Olde York Farm, Tousey Winery and Phoenicia Honey Co.

While there you can take full advantage of the summer weather with a ramble through the 250-acre landscape. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds or pick up food from one of the local vendors.

There’s also a bit of art in the landscape to experience during your stroll. Jesús Rafael Soto’s oversized sculptural piece “Penetrable” was installed as part of a temporary exhibit last year but has been extended to late 2018.

Inside “The Wander Society’s Adventure Lab”

Children will get a kick out of “The Wander Society’s Adventure Lab,” a canvas caravan filled with images, tools and books inspired by the travels of the Church family and by artist and author Keri Smith’s book “The Wander Society.” The words and imagery of Brooklyn’s own Walt Whitman are also sprinkled throughout the space. The exploration lab is on display on the Olana grounds until December 1, 2018.

A detail of Church’s studio on the first floor.

Of course, the artistic expression that is the house itself shouldn’t be forgotten. If you want to tour the inside before or after you hit the market, you will need a separate tour ticket. Those tickets sell out quickly, so make sure to get one in advance. Currently on view inside is “Costume & Custom: Middle Eastern Threads at Olana,” an exhibition of historic costumes Church collected during his sojourns to cities like Damascus, Petra and Jerusalem. Many of them are on view for the first time.

The Olana Summer Market takes place on Saturday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The suggested admission to the market is $5. For a full list of vendors, check out the market info here.

How to Visit
Address: 5720 Route 9G, Hudson, N.Y.
Hours: The grounds at Olana are open daily, 8 a.m. to sunset, year-round. The interior of the house can be seen by guided or self-guided tour — tickets are required for all interior visits. For more information, visit the website here.
Admission: Free access to the grounds; house tours are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, children under 12 free. The suggested admission to the summer market is $5.
Directions: Take Amtrak to Hudson, then a taxi (about a 10-minute ride). By car, Olana is about 2.5 hours from Brooklyn via the Taconic State Parkway.